In a fight to survive, the Laurel Boys and Girls Club is turning to the feds and stepping up its political activity with community outreach and fundraising.

A lack of funds has led to reduced programming and three staff members being laid off this year, said club President Levet Brown.

The club has also been forced to delay renovation projects, including plumbing in some bathrooms and handicap accessibility. One of the two boilers is broken and much of the building is without air-conditioning.

Also, unlike in previous years when summer camp participants received individual trophies at the end of camp, the club is limited to awarding group trophies this summer. Only two waivers to cover the cost of camp were given to participants, instead of 20 to 30 given in previous summers.

House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Dist. 5) of Mechanicsville requested an earmark of $500,000 for a federal grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that was rejected by the Senate.

"The Laurel Boys and Girls Club has been a source of great hope and support for many young people in our community. [Investing in young people] is the greatest investment we can make," Hoyer said.

To help get LBGC's message out, an adviser from the national Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority will be advising on the best way to communicate its financial needs to the community, Brown said. The Laurel chapter of the sorority also gave a donation to the club to renovate a large classroom. Other organizations that have given recent donations are the Prince George's Community Foundation and the Commonwealth Foundation. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission gave computers and other equipment for the club's computer lab.

"Kids don't vote — but parents do," said Brown, who added that he would mobilize parents to vote Sept. 8 when the special referendum comes up that could allow term extensions for Mayor Craig Moe and the City Council.

Councilman Frederick Smalls said that LBGC is "a very worthy and needed service to the community," but noted that "the city also does have youth services as well, through our parks and recreation associations."

Brown said that as the largest boys and girls club in the state, closing would have a "major impact on the community."

"Here, it's all about the kids," said Adrian Rousseau, director of the club's mentorship program, comparing LBGC to other Laurel recreation centers used by both adults and children. "We cater to kids, period… we're keeping kids off the street."

E-mail Tiffany March at tmarch@gazette.net.